Kathryn

Kathryn Swope is a passionate performer and educator in Dekalb, IL. She holds regular professional positions with the Chicago Gargoyle Brass Ensemble, Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra, Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra and Wheaton Municipal Band. She is also a regular substitute member of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra in Springfield, IL and the Rockford Symphony Orchestra.

Kathryn is an Applied Artist at Northern Illinois University where she directs the University Band, Brass Choir and teaches Brass Techniques. Kathryn also teaches privately at the Northern Illinois Community School of the Arts and is the Horn Teaching Assistant at Birch Creek Music Camp in Door County, WI during the summers. Her degrees were awarded from the University of Louisville (B.M./M.M.) and Northern Illinois University (Performance Certificate). In addition to playing horn, Kathryn has completed her second Master’s degree in Wind Band Conducting at Northern Illinois University.

Michael

Michael Swope, an accomplished freelance trumpeter, currently resides in Dekalb, IL. He is a member of the Rockford Chamber Players Brass Quintet, a substitute member of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, Rockford Symphony Brass Quintet and frequently performs with the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra in Decatur as well as the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra of Dekalb. Michael maintains a private studio of bright, young musicians from the Dekalb and Sycamore area schools and is frequently called upon to judge Solo and Ensemble competitions in the northern Illinois area. Michael is a former member of the Indiana Wind Symphony, Indianapolis Brass Choir, Reunion Brass Quintet and performed as Auxiliary Trumpet with the Louisville Orchestra. He holds degrees from the Jordan College of Fine Arts at Butler University in Indianapolis (B.A.) and the University of Louisville (M.M.). In addition to playing trumpet, Michael is a Technical Support Coordinator in the College of Education at Northern Illinois University.